Darren Weir and legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse are within reach of a rare Melbourne Spring Carnival feat.
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Each has had at least one win at every major meeting of the carnival – Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate Days, and the first three days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Just day four at Flemington on Saturday and Sandown next Saturday remain.
Weir takes 10 runners to Flemington, while Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, has just four.
Weir’s biggest wins to date over the carnival came back on Caulfield Guineas Day in mid-October when Gailo Chop claimed the group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes and Tosen Stardom the group 1 $500,000 Toorak Handicap.
He has backed this up with four group 3 victories and and one group 2.
Gailo Chop and Tosen Stardom go around again at Flemington on Saturday – this time clashing in the $2m Emirates Stakes, 2000m.
Weir also has once Victoria Derby favourite Cliff’s Edge getting in on the minimum weight of 51kg.
Weir’s run has enabled him to retain the lead in the Melbourne metropolitan trainers’ premiership.
The titleholder is on 37 wins, with David and Ben Hayes and Ben Dabernig next on 31.
BALLAN and Ararat Cup meetings are other targets for the Weir stable this weekend.
Imperator Augustus has a second outing for Weir in the $30,000 Ballan Community Bank Cup, 1500m, at Geelong on Saturday.
Formerly trained by John P Thompson in Sydney, the five-year-old is coming off a second at Caulfield on October 1.
Weir has also thrown numbers at $20,000 Cornerstone Rosebowl for fillies and mares, 1400m, at the Ballan Jockey Club's only race meeting of the year with three starters - Mrs Gardenia, Gold Blush and Hectopascale.
The focus turns to the $50,000 Ararat Gold Cup, 2000m, on Sunday, with Weir having Ormito, Shamkiyr and Crafy Devil engaged.
Smackdown and Broadway and First will carry his hopes in the $75,000 China Bowl, 1300m.
One of the most intriguing runners in the China Bowl is Aeratus, an 8yo having his first start for trainer Kylie Vella and his first outing since January, 2015, when trained by Mick Price.